ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how the brain regulates attention, impulse control, and activity level. It's not a matter of intelligence or effort — people with ADHD often work harder than everyone around them just to keep up. The core challenge is neurological: the brain's executive function and dopamine regulation work differently, making it harder to sustain focus, manage time, organize tasks, and regulate emotions consistently.

ADHD presents in three types: predominantly inattentive (difficulty focusing, forgetfulness, disorganization), predominantly hyperactive-impulsive (restlessness, impulsivity, difficulty waiting), and combined type. In adults, hyperactivity often becomes more internal — a restless, racing quality to thinking rather than physical movement. Many adults with ADHD have had it their whole lives without ever knowing, having found ways to manage until demands outpaced their ability to compensate.

Adult ADHD frequently looks different from the hyperactive, disruptive presentation most people picture. In adults, it often shows up as difficulty sustaining focus, chronic disorganization, time blindness, forgetfulness, and a persistent sense of underachieving despite significant effort. Many adults — particularly women — develop compensatory strategies that mask the underlying ADHD for years, which is why diagnosis so often comes later in life.

Absolutely, and it's more common than most people realize. High intelligence, structured environments, and the ability to compensate through effort can allow ADHD to go unrecognized through school and into adulthood. Many people receive their first diagnosis in their 30s, 40s, or even later — sometimes after a child is diagnosed, or after a major life change removes the routine that was keeping things manageable.

I offer ADHD evaluations for adults (18+) of any gender. I have a particular clinical interest in presentations common in women — inattentive type, late diagnosis, high-masking — but anyone who is wondering whether ADHD might be contributing to how they're functioning is welcome to reach out.

Your evaluation begins with a comprehensive in-person psychiatric intake. We'll review your history, current symptoms, and how you're functioning across different areas of your life. ADHD diagnosis is clinical — it's based on a thorough interview and history, not a single test. I'll also assess whether other conditions like anxiety, depression, or sleep disorders may be contributing, since these frequently co-occur with ADHD.

Stimulant medications (such as amphetamine salts or methylphenidate) are the most well-researched and commonly prescribed treatments for ADHD. Non-stimulant options (such as atomoxetine or certain antidepressants) are also available for patients who don't respond to stimulants, prefer to avoid them, or have a history that makes stimulants less appropriate. I'll walk you through the options and support you in making an informed decision.

That's a reasonable thing to think carefully about. Stimulant medications are controlled substances and require additional care in prescribing and monitoring. At Harborlight Psychiatric, patients prescribed stimulants are required to be seen in person at least once per year in addition to their initial intake. I'll always explain risks, benefits, and alternatives clearly before recommending anything.

Yes — frequently. The experience of chronically underperforming relative to effort, missing deadlines, struggling in relationships, and feeling perpetually behind takes a real emotional toll. Many adults with undiagnosed ADHD develop anxiety or depression as a result. Treating the underlying ADHD often improves these symptoms, though sometimes both conditions need to be addressed directly.

Yes, significantly — and this is an area I pay particular attention to for patients whose symptoms fluctuate hormonally. Estrogen influences dopamine regulation, which means ADHD symptoms can shift across the menstrual cycle, during perimenopause, postpartum, or with changes in hormonal contraception. If you've noticed your focus or functioning varies at certain hormonal moments, that's worth discussing.

Anxiety and ADHD share a lot of overlapping symptoms — difficulty concentrating, restlessness, sleep disruption — and they frequently co-occur. It's entirely possible to have one, the other, or both. A thorough evaluation is the only reliable way to sort it out. If you've been treated for anxiety without the relief you expected, ADHD is worth exploring.